Coil handling apparatus



July 27, 1943. FREEMAN 2,325,121

con, HANDLING APPARATUS- Filed April 23, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet l x gN'T-QR88 fia/co/m H freeman.

July 27, 1943. M. H. FREEMAN COIL HANDLING APPARATUS Filed April 23,1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 M INVENTOR I Ya/001m hf fi'eeman.

ATTORN July 27, 1943.

M. H. FREEMAN COIL HANDLING APPARATUS 5 SHeets-Sheet 5 Filed April 23,1.940

INVENTOR Malcolm lili'eeman.

2/ 4: ATTORNEY Patented July 27, 1943 con. moms APPARATUS -Malcolm H.Freeman, Maryville, Tenn., assignor to Aluminum Company of America,Pittsburgh Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application April 23,1940, Serial No. 331,134

22 Claims.

My invention pertains to apparatu for handling and transferring workpieces and, while not necessarily so limited, is directed moreparticularly to a coil guide and unloader for a strip metal coilingmachine.

In the art of processing strip metal, the strip is usually wound intocoils to facilitate handling, feeding, and subsequent working ortreatment of the metal. One type of coiler currently employed isprovided with bending rolls that bend the strip and cause it to coil onitself in successive convolutions without using a reel or block or thelike as is familiar to those versed in the art. Inasmuch as the coilsvary both in width and diameter, the width of the coiler is neces sarilygreat'enough to accommodate the strips of maximum width; and since theforming coilrotates on supporting rolls or rods, a considerable amountof side movement or axial creeping is encountered, particularly duringwinding of the narrower strips. This creeping is liable to result inaxial displacement of successive turns of the coil. Upon completion ofthe coiling operation the coil usually is ejected from the coiler by theaction of a kick-out or ejector device which caused rapid discharge butoften resulted in a damaged and deformed coil by reason of bouncing ofthe coil on the coil receiver, and sometimes the surfaces of the metalwere badly scratched or otherwise marked, even interiorly of the coil,by reason of such rough handling. In the processing of highly polishedand bright rolled strip, it is imperative that such marking of the metalbe eliminated.

Some of the objects of my invention are to provide an improved unloadercapable of removing the coils from such a coiling device rapidly andwithout in any way damaging or marking the surfaces of the metal; toprovide means for yieldably engaging the ends of a forming coil, toguide and maintain the successive convolutions thereof in properalignment; and to.

provide an upwardly movable coil receiver cooperating with the unloadingdevice for relieving the same of its load at an elevated position sothat the unloader can be returned to its position adjacent the coiler asquickly as possible.

A further object is to provide transfer mechanism having swingingclamping arms adapted to grip a coil at its ends and move it through anoverhead arcuate path to a discharge position whereby flattening of thecoil or surface marking of the metal iseliminated. Still another objectis to provide a transfer device capable of handling coils or other bulkyarticles of various weights and sizes, which is positive in operation,wherein the articles are transferred at a predetermined speed unaffectedby differences in weight, and which is generally of simplified andimproved form.

A still further object is to provid improved control mechanism ofsimplified form for efi'ecting automatic operation of the apparatusthrough a loading and unloading cycle.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent asthe description proceeds, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a coil unloader disposed incooperative relation with a coiler of the radial discharge type which isshown somewhat diagrammatically in section;

Fig. 2 is a view taken on the line 11-11 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view taken on' the line IH1II of Fig. 2;

Fi 4 is a view taken on the line IV-IV of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a side view', on an enlarged scale, partly in section andpartly in elevation, of one of the coil driving and clamping arms withits lower portion broken away;

Fig. 6 is a face view thereof and Fig. 7 is a schematic view showing thehydraulic operating mechanism and the electrical control systemtherefor.

Referring to the drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of theinvention, a conventional strip metal coiling device of the radialdischarge type is provided with a group of bending rolls l0 arranged inpyramidal relation to impart a predetermined curvature to metal stripsupplied thereto from any suitable source, whereby the strip is causedto curve upwardly and wind itself into a coil. During the coilingoperation, the coil is supported on supporting rolls or rods H disposedabove the bending rolls. As is usually the case, the exit roll of thebending roll group is adjustable relative to the apex roll thereof sothat the curvature imparted to the I strip can be varied, as desired. Apair 0! pinch rolls 12 may be employed to impart feeding movement to thestrip. The rolls are joumaled at theirends in spaced housing l3, and thebending rolls and pinchrolls are adapted to be driven in any suitablewell known manner (not shown). Further description of the coiler isdeemed unnecessary since it is. well known to those versed in the art,and it per se forms no part of the present invention.

frame M. The block i1 is provided with axially. spaced bearing portionsl8 between which a gear l9, suitably secured to the shaft, is confinedso as to prevent axial movement of the shaft. A ver-' tically movablerack bar 20 is slidably supported in the block l1 and meshes with thegear l3. At its lower end the rack bar is connected through a link 2|with'a piston rod 22 having an operating piston working within acylinder 23, which is secured to a downwardly extending bracket 24 ofthe frame l4. Fluid pressure is admitted alternately to the oppositeends of the cylinder to reciprocate the rack bar, thereby turning theshaft i and swinging a pair, of coil transferring members or arms 25mounted thereon from a coil receiving position to a coil dischargingposition. a coil being thus-carried through an overhead arcuate path asindicated in Fig. 1. Complete retraction of the piston in the cylinder23 causes the arms 25 to be swung into position adjacent the coiler. Y

The shaft l5 projects beyond the bearing [6 and slidably supports abracket 25 that has key connection with the shaft so as to be turnedtherewith (Fig. 2). Supported on the frame l4 -in axial alignment withthe shaft I5 is a hythe plate 29 and abuts against the rear side of thepiston 3| when it is retracted. The outermost cylinder 21 is shorterthan. the inner cylinder 28, thereby limiting the stroke of therespective pistons. The bracket 25 is provided with an arm 35 which isoperatively connected to the members 25, by means hereinafter described,to move them simultaneously toward and away from each other, and saidbracket is selectively moved inwardly toward the bearing l5. to move themembers 25 first into guiding engagement with the ends of a forming coiland then into clamping engagement therewith preliminary to swingingmovement for unloading.

The transfer members 25 are slidably mounted on .the shaft l5 betweenthe bearing blocks I3 and i1 and are fixed against rotation with respectto the shaft by keys or feathers 33 cooperating with elongated slotsformed in the shaft, but any suitable non-rotatable sliding connectionmay be employed. Each member is of channel form in cross section andembraces a tilt bar 31 which forms an extension thereof. The, bar 31 isradially supported at the outer end of the arm 25 on a pivot pin 33 forlimited tilting movement relative to the arm, aiug extension 33 of thearm 25 limiting backward movement of the bar above the pivot. Elongatedrecesses or pockets are provided in the inner'face of the bar 31 aboveand'below the pivot pin 35, and disposed therein are elongated rollers:43 that are rotatably supported in and blocks 4| (Fig. 5). The blocks 4|are slidable within the pockets and are provided with springs 42 servingto maintain the rollers yieldably extended to their outermost positionbeyond the inner face of the bar. Cover strips 43 serve to retain theblocks in the recesses.

By reason of their spring mounting the rollers are adapted to yieldablyengage the edges of a forming coil and to recede within the pockets' inthe bars 31 until flush with the inner opposed faces thereof whensufllcient pressure is applied to the clamping members. The radiallyspaced guide rollers 40 are disposed at substantially diametricallyopposite sides of the forming coil, as shown in Fig. 1. These rollersthus serve to prevent axial movement of any of the convolutions of thecoil during formation of the coil, while their in and out movement inconjunction with rocking movement of the bars 31 accommodates anyvariations or irregularities in the width of the strip or unevenness atthe ends of the coil.

The clamping members are provided with rearwardly extending perforatedbosses 44 (Figs. 1 and 6) that are provided with internal screw threadsto receive therein a threaded rod 45,

which is threaded for approximatelyone-half of its length, and anoppositely threaded elongated sleeve 46, respectively. The threaded endof the -rod 45 is rotatably mounted in the arm of the slide bracket 25and suitably fixed against endwise movement as by means of nuts 41, andits unthreaded portion extends axially through the sleeve 45. Handwheels 43 and 49 are secured to the adjacent ends of the sleeve 45 andthe rod 45, respectively, whereby they. may be 5. rotated independentlyof each other to adjust the clamping members relative to thelongitudinal center line of the coiler and relative to each other asrequired in accordance with the position of the strip as fed to thecoiler. .A spring pressed detent or latch 50 normally connects thesleeve with the rod 45 for rotation in unison therewith, whereby theclamping members may be simultaneously moved ,in opposite directions foreffecting greater or lesser spread therebetween to accommodate strips ofvarious width, .without disturbing their adjustment relative to thecenter line of'the coiler. The inner end of the detent operates in anelongated slot 5| in the rod 45 to permit relative axial; movementbetween the sleeve and the rod. Of course, the detent is withdrawn topermit independent adjustment of the clamping members. If desired, shaft45 may be motor driven to facilitate and increase speed of adjustment ofclamping members 25. For this purpose the extreme end nut 41 (Fig. 2)may be replaced by a gear in mesh with a suitable motor driventransmission.

It will be apparent from an inspection of Fig. 2 that when fluidpressure is admitted behind the piston 33 the bracket 23 will be movedinwardly the edges of the strip but will be sumcienuy close thereto asto be moved into guiding engagement therewith when actuated by the shortstroke pisother clamping member inwardly, I provide ton 35. ,In ordersimultaneously to move the a thrust collar '52 which is confined a upon,through the connections just describedf when the rod 45 is moved to theright, for example, the lever 54 is tumed in a clockwise direction,thereby forcing the sleeve 46 toward the left to move its clampingmember 25 inwardly (Fig. 2). In this manner the members 25 aresimultaneously moved inwardly or contracted a predetermined distanceinto coil guiding position.

After coiling is completed, fluid pressure is admitted between thepistons 363|, which results in further contraction of the members 25 toclamp or grip the coil endwise therebetween. Fluid pressure is thenadmitted to the lower end of cylinder 23 to elevate the rack bar 26,thereby turning shaft l5 and swinging the members 25, the coil beinglifted from the supporting rolls H and carried to a coil dischargingposition located approximately diametrically opposite the coiler. Thecoil is then released by expanding the arms 25 by admitting fluidpressure to the front side of the piston 3|. Thereafter, the arms areswung back into position adjacent the coiler by reversing pressure flowto the cylinder 23. The coil thus deposited on a transversely disposedreceiving table 66 of the gravity conveyor type at the dischargeposition is free to gravitate to any desired point. Thus it will be seenthat the coil is moved in a generally vertical direction to or from itssupport when loading or unloading, thereby eliminating dragging movementwhich might damage the surfaces of the metal, and further that bouncingof the coil is eliminated.

In order to relieve the arms of their load and permit them to bereturned to the coiler to receive and guide a succeeding strip withoutundue delay, a portion of the coil receiver or table 66 preferably isarranged to be moved upwardly to intercept the downwardly moving coilcarried by the arms 25. A rearwardly extending beam 6| is provided witha cross shaft 62 which is suitably supported in bearings 63 secured tothe frame l4 at a point below and forwardly of the shaft l5. The beamhas link connection with a piston rod 64 that is provided with apistonworking in a vertical cylinder 65. At its outer end the beam is providedwith a lateral rectangular extension 66 (Fig. 4). The movable portion ofthe table 66 is composed of two short sections of roller beds 61 and 66arranged in end-to-end relation and pivotally connected at 69 and 69a tothe opposite ends of the extension 66, the roller sections 61 and 66being adapted for tilting relative to the extension. Lower cross bars 16are mounted on the inner ends of the roller beds 61 and 66 and engagerollers 1| that are supported on the upper end of a vertical stand 12.The rollers project above the plane of the extension 66 sufliciently tohold the inner ends of the roller beds slightly elevated with respect tothe outer ends thereof when the table is in lowered position 'so that acoil or coils thereon can gravitate onto gravity roller conveyors 13 and14 disposed in alignment with the roller beds. The inner end of theroller bed 61 is so disposed relative to the center line of the coilerthat all single coils will gravitate toward the left as viewed in Fig.4, while divided coils may gravitate in both directions.

V hydraulic operating When the table is raised the roller beds 61-66 aredeclined toward their inner ends, thus retaining a coil thereon untilthe table is lowered into registry with the conveyors 13 and 14.

An angle bar 15 is secured to the inner end of the roller bed 61, andthrough the horizontal flange thereof extends a pair of vertical rods 16carrying a cross bar 11 at their upper ends. Springs 16 encircle therods and yieldably maintain the bar elevated with respect to the planeof the roller bed. As the coil receiver is being lifted, the bar 11 isadapted to be depressed by engagement with a downwardly moving coil toactuate a limit switch 66 carried by the roller bed 61 in position to beengaged by one of the rods 16. Actuation of the switch 66 automaticallycontrols the operation of the lifting table, the release of the coil,and the return of the arms 25 to position adjacent the coiler ashereinafter described.

Referring to Fig. 7, showin schematically the system and the electricalcontrol circuits therefor, a pump 6| driven by a motor 62 supplies fluidunder pressure to a pressure line or conduit 83 that is connected to aplurality of control valves 64-, 65, 66, and 61. An exhaustof returnline or conduit 66 is also con-' nected to the control valves and leadsto the low pressure side of the pump or to a suitable sump therefor.These valves are of well known threeway and four-way types and aresolenoid operated to their forward and reverse positions, respectively,two solenoids being provided for each valve. The valves are normally inthe forward or reverse position but never in a neutral position, eventhough both solenoids are -de-energized. Thus electrical current needsto flow through one solenoid just long enough to actuate the hydraulicvalv and the valve remains in this position after the circuit is brokenuntil a current is supplied to the other solenoid to actuate the valveto its other position.

The valves are normally in the positions shown in Fig. 7, and it will beseen, therefore, that pressure is admitted through valve 61 to the upperend of the cylinder 23 so that the transfer arms 25 are held in theirfull line position (Fig. 1) over the coiling rolls; the lifting cylinder65 is open to the exhaust line 66 through valve 86 and the table 66 isin its lowered position; while the pressure in cylinders 21 and 26behind pistons 36 and 3| is exhausted through valves 64 and 85,respectively, andpressure applied through valve 65 to the front ofpiston 3| in cylinder 26, whereby the arms 25 are held in expanded orouter position with respect to the strip to be coiled. It is pointed outthat full the cylinders 21.26 but pressure relief valves 69 and 96 areprovided between the pressure line 63 and the valves 66 and 61,respectively, of the lifting cylinder 65 and the swinging cylinder 26,respectively. Relief valve 69 is set at approximately per cent of thepump pressure, while relief valve 96 is set at approximately 65 'percent of the pump pressure. Thus, sequential operation is effected forthe pistons in the cylinders 21-26 with respect to the pistons of theother cylinders, whereby the transfer arms 25 are moved into and out ofclamping engagement with a coil prior to swinging movement thereof, andfurther assuring that the clamping pressure be maintained at all timesto prevent accidental dropping oi the coils. With the apparatus thusdisposed in coil receiving position and with the transfer arms 25initially adjusted manually to accommodate the width of the strip beingcoiled,

pressure is supplied to the operation in guiding and unloading is asfollows:

The push button switch 92 is depressed momentarily and current flowsfrom a supply line LI through solenoid 93 of the valve 84 to line L2.The valve 84 is shifted to the right to its forward position to cut offexhaust to the rear of piston 30 and to admit pressure from the line 83thereto. The pressure in front of piston 3| in the cylinder 28 is notcut oil at this time so that pistons 30 and 3| are oppositely subjectedto pressure, but the difference in force created by the area of thepiston rod 33 causes both pistons to move inwardly to an intermediateposition. This movement is transmitted through the bracket 28 and rod 45to one arm 25 and through lever 54 and sleeve 48 to the other arm 25.Thus the arms are moved inwardly simultaneously into coil guidingposition with the rollers 40 yieldably engaging the forming coil.However, in the coiling of some classes of strip material it will not benecessary to guide them, in which case the switch 92 will not bedepressed.

After completion of the coiling operation, the operator will depress thepush button switch 94 momentarily which results in energizing thesolenoids 95 and 95 of the valves 85 and 81. These valves willsubstantially simultaneously be actuated. Valve 85 is moved to the leftand connects the front side of the piston 3| to the relief or exhaustline 88 and also admits pressure to a point intermediate the pistons30-3I. The piston 3I moves inwardly its full stroke to move the members25 inwardly to clamp the coil atits ends therebetween. After thepressure is built up in the cylinder 28 to exceed the pressure of therelief valve 90, then pressure is exerted beneath the piston in theswinging cylinder 23 to cause the arms to swing towards coil'dischargingposition. During initial swinging movement, a cam 98 which is secured tothe shaft I5 actuates a limit switch 99. The limit switch 99 is'providedwith a normally open circuit I and a normally closed circuit 2. Switch99 is actuated after the arms have traveled through any desired part oftheir stroke and closes circuit I" and opens circuit 2; Closure ofcircuit l causes the solenoid 600 of the valve 86 to be energized, andvalve is moved to the right and admits fluid pressure to the undersideof the piston in the lifting cylinder 05. This pressure is admitted pasta normally open valve I0i which is provided with a spring to maintain itin open position and with a solenoid I02 to move it against the pressureof the spring to closed position. At this time the solenoid I02 isde-energized and the valve, therefore, is in open position and the table60, therefore, is moved upwardly. The upward movement of the 'table 60is so timed that it intercepts a coil while it is being moved downwardlyby the transfer arms 25. When the coil andreceiving table meet at suchelevated position, the coil-depresses the .bar I'I and'actuates thelimit switch 80, which in turn operates the solenoids I03, I04, I02, andI05 of the valves 80, 85, WI, and 81, respectively. These valves areactuated to their opposite positions, the valve I0| being thus closed'toout off pressure flow to the lifting cylinder 85, thereby to stop theupward movement of the table 00. By the operation of the valves 84, 85,and 81 fluid pressure is admitted to the front side of the piston 3|while pressure is exhausted from behind this piston and piston 30. Theclamping arms 2i: are, therefore, drawn apart or expanded relto the endsof the coils, thus releasing the coil prior to retractive swingingmovement of the arms which is eifected by admitting fluid pressure tothe upper end of the cylinder 23 and connecting its lower end to theexhaust line 88 by the operation of the valve 81. Here again it ispointed out that the release of the coil is effected prior to swingingmovement of the arms by the provision of the relief'valve 90.

The arms are returned to normal position adjacent the coiler rapidly bypermitting flow of pressure fluid past a check valve I06 in thedirection of the arrow, as shown in Fig. 7, the fluid thus flowingaround needle control valve I01. The valve I0! is provided to controlthe exhaust from the upper side of the cylinder 23, thereby to controlthe rate of swinging movement of the arms toward discharge position. Itwill be seen from an inspection of Fig. 1 that normally after the armsand the coil carried thereby move across a plane extending verticallythrough the axis of the shaft I5 that the descending movement of thecoil would be accelerated by gravity. Such acceleration, however, isprevented by controlling the exhaust from the upper side of the cylinder23, the needle valve I0I preferably being adjusted to permitsubstantially the same rate of downward movement of the coil as iseffected during upward movement thereof.

During retractive swinging movement of the arms 25 the cam 98 moves awayfrom the switch 99 and it opens circuit I and closes circuit 2, and thesolenoids I02, I03, I04, and I05 de-energize. The valve IN is therebypermitted to be moved to its normal open position under influence of itsoperating spring. At substantially the same time, closure of circuit 2of the switch 99 energizes solenoid III) of the valve 86, which valveoperates to permit the exhaust from the lower side of the liftingcylinder 65, a needle valve III controlling the rate of loweringmovement of the table 60. As the table moves into registry with theconveyors I3 and I4, the plates I0 of the roller beds 61 and 68 engagethe rolls II and the move it to position to exhaust pressure from theyrear side of the piston 30, whereupon the fluid pressure in front ofpiston 3| moves the arms to coil releasing position.

It will be seen from the foregoing description of operation that theoperator is required merely to actuate the push button 92 for guidingeach coil or set of split coils during coiling thereof, and thereafteroperates the push button 94 to effect initiation of a clamping andunloading cycle, which cycle is completed automatically by operation ofthe mechanically operated limit switches.

It will be understood, of course, that the particular use described isexemplary only of one situation to which my invention is particularlyadaptable, and that changesin the construction and operation of variousof the parts of the apparatus may bemade without departing from theinvention as particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a transferring apparatus, in combination, a pair of opposedtransferring members mounted for swinging movement on a horizontal axis,manually operable adjusting means carried by said members for movingthem along said axis toward and away from each other to vary the spreadtherebetween to a preselected distance, mean for swinging said membersabout said axis, to move a work piece carried by said-members in anoverhead arcuate path, a receiving station and a discharge stationlocated at opposite ends of said arcuate path, and reciprocable meansconnected to said adjusting means for moving said members axially fromtheir adjusted position; into and out of clamping engagement with theend of the work piece.

2. In a coil transferring apparatus, in combination, a pair of opposedcoil transferring members mounted for swinging movement on a horizontalaxis, means for swinging said members in an overhead arcuate pathbetween a receiving station and a discharge station located at oppositesides of said axis respectively, means for moving said memberssimultaneously into clamping engagement with the ends of a coil at saidreceiving station, and means located at the discharge station andactuated in response to delivery of the coil at said discharge stationto operate said last named means to release the coil.

3. In a coil transferring apparatus, in combination, a pair of opposedcoil transferring members mounted for swinging movement on a horizontalaxis, means for swinging said members in an overhead arcuate pathbetween a receiving station and a discharge station located at oppositesides of said axis respectively, said members being normally positionedadjacent said receiving station, means for moving said memberssimultaneously into clamping engagement with the ends of a coil at saidreceiving station, control means for the said moving means and the saidswinging means operable to release the coil and to return said membersto normal position, and means actuated in response to delivery'of thecoil to said discharge station to actuate said control means.

4. In a coil transferring apparatus, in combination, a pair of opposedcoil transferring members mounted for swinging movement on a horizontalaxis, means for swinging said members in an overhead arcuate pathbetween a receiving station and ,a discharge station located at oppositesides of said axis respectively, said members being normally positionedadjacent said receiving station, means for moving said -memberssimultaneously into clamping engagement with the ends of a coil at saidreceiving station, control mechanism for the said moving means and thesaid swinging means operable to release the coil and to return saidmembers to normal position, means actuated in response to delivery ofthe coil to said discharge station to actuate said control mechanism,and means included in said control mechanism for effecting release ofthe coil in advance of return movement of said members to normalposition.

5. In a coil transferring apparatus, in combination, a pair of opposedcoil transferring members mounted for swinging movement on a horizontalaxis, means for swinging said members in an overhead arcuate pathbetween a receiving station and a. discharge station located at oppositesides of said axis respectively, means for moving said members axiallyinto and out of clamping engagement with the ends of a coil, controlmechanism for controlling the operation of said swinging means and saidmoving means ,mechanism to release the coil and return said members tonormal position, and means included in said controlmechanism foreffecting operation of said moving means in advance of operation of saidswinging means.

6. In apparatus for unloading a three-roll coiler, a pair of opposedcoil engaging members mounted for swinging movement on a horizontal axisdisposed transversely of and in rearwardly spaced relation to saidcoiler, and normally extended diametrically across the ends of a coilforming on said coiler, means for moving said members into engagementwith the coil, separate means for imparting swinging movement to saidmembers to move the coil upwardly and away fro the coiler and meanspositioned to receive' the coil from said members.

7. In apparatus for unloading coils from a members mounted for swingingmovement ona horizontal axis disposed transversely of and in rearwardlyspaced relation to said coiler, said members extending radially fromsaid axis across the ends of a coil forming on said coiler, means formoving said members simultaneously and through equal distances intoguiding engagement with the ends of the coil forming on said coiler,additional means operative to move said members into clamping engagementwith the formed coil, means independent of said moving means to impartswinging movement to said members,'and means positioned to receive thecoil from said members.

8. A coil unloader arranged to transfer coils from a three-roll coilerto a coil conveyor disposed rearwardly thereof, comprising incombination with said conveyor a pair of coil engaging members mountedfor swinging movement on a horizontal axis disposed intermediate saidcoiler and said conveyor, said members extending radially from said axisacross the ends of a. coil forming on said coiler, means for moving saidmembers toward each other to engage the coil therebetween, and means forswinging said members to transfer the coil engaged thereby to saidconveyor.

9. In a coil transferring apparatus, in combination, a coil support, acoil receiver disposed behind said support,- means movableinto clampingengagement with a coil on said support and adapted to move the same inanarcuate path extending upwardly adjacent the support and downwardlyadjacent said receiver, and means for moving said receiver upwardly inan intercepting path to relieve said coil from said .first- "named meansat an elevated point.

10. In a transfer apparatus, in combination, a conveyor, a verticallymovable coil receiver normally in registry with said conveyor, formoveposed adjacent said receiver, means for moving said arms toward eachother to engage a coil therebetween, means for swinging said arms totransfer the coil engaged thereby toward said receiver, and meansoperable during said swinging movement for moving said receiver upwardlyto receive said coil from said arms at an elevated position with respectto said conveyor.

11. In a coil transferring apparatus, in comblnation, a coil conveyor, avertically movable coil receiver normally inregistry with said conveyor,a pair of coil engaging arms mounted for swinging movement on ahorizontal axis' disposed adjacent said receiver, means for moving saidarms toward each other to engage a coil therebetween, means for swingingsaid arms to transfer the coil engaged thereby toward said receiver,means operable during said swinging movement for moving said'receiverupwardly to receive said coil from said arms at an elevated positionwithrespect to said conveyor, said coil receiver including tworoller-bed sectionsin endto-end relation and pivotally connected attheir outer'ends to the upper side of said receiverfor tilting movementrelative thereto, and means'for elevating the inner ends of said rollerbeds with respect to their outer ends when the receiver is in loweredposition, whereby to effect gravitation of a coil thereon to saidconveyor.

12. In a transfer mechanism for unloading coils from a three-rollcoiler, in combination, a trasverse gravity conveyor disposed rearwardlyof the coiler, a vertically movable coil receiver normally in registrywith said conveyor, for movement of a coil delivered thereto to saidconveyor, a pair of coil engaging arms mounted for swinging movement ona horizontal axis disposed intermediate said coiler and said receiver,means for moving said arms toward each other to engage a coiltherebetween, means for swinging said arms to transfer the coil engagedthereby toward said receiver, means operable during said swingingmovement for moving said receiver upwardly to receive said coil fromsaid arms at an elevated position with respect to said conveyor,depressible'm'eans carried by said receiver in position tobe actuatedthrough engagement with said coil, and means operable in response toactuation of said-depressible means for effectins release of the'coil atsaid elevated position and return of said arms to a position adjacentsaid coiler.

13. In mechanism for guiding and unloading coils formed on a three-rollcoiler, the combination of a pair of swinging coil transferring armsceiver positioned behind said coiler in position to receive "a coiltransferred by said swinging arms, pressure actuated means operativelycon- -nected with said arms for selectively moving them inwardly intoguiding and clamping engagement respectively with a coil, to guide thesuccessive convolutions during formation of the coil and to clamp thecoil after its formation,

a tilt bar pivotally mounted on the outer end of -'recede into flushrelation with the bars when clamping pressure is applied to the saidarms.

15. In a coil transferring apparatus, in combination, a horizontal rockshaft, a pair of opposed coil clamping members slidably mounted on saidshaft and fixed against rotation relative normally disposed above thesupporting rolls of the coiler and extending diametrically across theends of a coil forming thereon, a coil receiver positioned behind saidcoiler in position to receive a coil transferred by said swinging arms,

pressure actuated means operatively connected with said arms forselectively moving them inwardly into guiding and clampingengagementrespectively with a coil, to guide the successive.

convolutions during formation of the coil and to clamp the coil afterits formation, and a resiliently mounted roller carried by each arm inposition to yieldingly engage the forming coil at one side of its axis.v

14. In mechanism for guiding and unloadin coils formed on a three-rollcoiler, the combination of a pair of swinging coil transferring armsthereto, means operatively connected to said members for simultaneouslymoving them'axially into and out of clamping'engagement with the ends ofa coil, a cylinder having a piston working therein, means connectingsaid piston to said shaft for imparting rocking movementto the shaft,means for admitting pressure fluid to one end of said cylinder, wherebyto swing said members and-a coil carried thereby upwardly and over theaxis of said shaft and downwardly toward a discharge station, and anadjustable valve for automatically controlling flow of fluid from theother. end of said cylinder, whereby to limit the rate of downwardmovement of the said members under the weightof the coil.

16. Ina coil transferring apparatus, in combination, a horizontal rockshaft, a pair of opposed arms slidably mounted on said shaft and fixedagainst rotation relative thereto, means operatively connected with saidshaft to turn the same and impart swinging movement to said arms "in anoverhead arcuate path between a receiving station and a dischargestation located at opposite sides of said shaft, a shiftable membercarried by each arm in screw threaded engagement therewith and arrangedparallel with said shaft, a pivoted lever connecting said members totransmit movement from one member to the other in opposite directions,soas simultaneously to move said arms alongsaid shaft into or out ofclamping engagement with a coil by reciprocation of one of said members,and a cylinder disposed axially of said shaft and having a pistonoperatively connected to one of said members to reciprocate the same andactuate said arms. e

1'7. Guiding and unloading apparatusfor coils formed an a three-rollcoiler, comprising a horizontal rock shaft disposed behind the coilerand parallel with the bending rolls thereof, a pair of coil engagingarms slidably supported on said shaft and fixed against rotationrelative thereto, a shiftable member carried by each arm in screwthreaded engagement therewith and arranged parallel with said shaft, apivoted lever connecting said members to transmit movement from onemember to the other in opposite directions, so as simultaneously to movesaid arms normally disposed above the supporting rolls of' the coilerand extending diametrically across the ends of a coil forming thereon, acoil retoward or away from each other, a pair of cylinders of differentlengths disposed co-axially of said shaft, a piston in the innercylinder and operatively connected to one of said members to shift thesame inwardly, whereby to force said arms into clamping engagement witha coil, a piston in the outer cylinder and having a plunger engageablewith the inner piston to move it inwardly a lesser distance, whereby tomove said arms into guiding engagement with the forming coil, and meansfor rocking said shaft to swing said arms and a coil clampedtherebetween to a discharge station.

18. Guiding and unloading apparatus for coils formed on a three-rollcoiler, comprising a horizontal rock shaft disposed behind the coilerand parallel with the bending rolls thereof, a pair of coil engagingarms slidably supported on said shaft and fixed against rotationrelative there-' to, a spring pressed roller on the outer end of eacharm, means for rocking the shaft to swing said arms and the coil clampedtherebetween to a discharge station, and means for moving said arms intocoil guiding and coil clamping positions selectively comprising a sleevein screw threaded engagement-with one arm, a rod extending axiallythrough said sleeve and having screw threaded engagement 'withthe otherarm,

thrust members rotatably mounted on the adjacent ends of the sleeve andthe rod respectively, a fulcrum member carried by said shaft, a yokelever pivoted to said fulcrum member and rotatably connected at oppositeends to said thrust members whereby said sleeve and said rod aresimultaneously moved in opposite directions by reciprocation of saidrod, a pair of cylinders disposed co-axially of said shaft, a piston inthe .inner cylinder and operatively connected to said rod,and a pistonin the outer cylinder and having a plunger extending into the innercylinder to abut the piston therein when it is retracted, the stroke ofthe outer piston being less than the stroke of the inner piston, wherebythe outer piston is operated to move the said rollers on said arms intoguiding engagement with the coil and the inner piston is operated toforce the arms into clamping, engagement with the coil.

19. The combination as set forth in claim 18, wherein said sleeve andsaid rod are provided with hand wheels whereby they may be rotated toadjust the arms relative to each other and relative to the coiler, andprovided with an interconnecting latch operable to permit saidadjustment of the arms either individually or in unison.

20. In a coil transferring apparatus, in combination, a substantiallyhorizontal support on which a coil is supported on its side, a coilreceiver in spaced relation to said support, a shaft intermediate saidsupport and said receiver with itsaxis paralleling the axis of saidcoil, a pair of transfer arms slidably mounted onsaid shaft and fixedagainst rotation relative thereto, said arms extending radially fromsaid shaft across the ends of said coil, means connected to said arinsinoilset relation to said shaft for simultaneously moving the arms alongsaid shaft toward each other to clamp the coil therebetween, and meansincluding reversible driving means operatively connected to said shaftfor swinging said arms between said support and said receiver totransfer the clamped coil from the support to the receiver.

21. In a transfer apparatus, in combination, a pair of opposedtransferring members mounted for swinging movement on a-horizontalaxisand adapted for relative movement along said axis, means including apower cylinder for swinging said members about said. axis, 'to move awork piece carried by said members in-an overhead arcuate path, areceiving station and a discharge station locatedat opposite ends ofsaid arcuate path, means for moving said members axially into and out ofclamping engagement with said work piece, and means cooperating withsaid power cylinder for automatically limiting the rate of movement ofsaid members and said work piece under gravity acceleration duringdownward movement thereof from upper center I 'to said dischargestation.

22. In a transfer apparatus of the class described, a pair 01 opposedtransfer members mounted for swingingmovement on a horizontal axis,means for actuating saidmembers into and out of clamping engagement witha work piece disposed therebetween, fluid pressure actuated drivingmeans for swinging said members about said axis, to move said work piecein an overhead arcuate path from a receiving station to a dischargingstation located at opposite ends of said arcuate path, and meansactuated by said driving means for automatically limiting gravityacceleration of said members and said work piece carried thereby duringthe downward portion of travel thereof towardsaid discharge station.

MALCOLM H. FREEMIAN.

